Trump Warns Iran 'Better Get Smart Soon'; US Examines Hormuz Proposal as Risk of Frozen Conflict Grows

On April 29, 2026, President Trump issued a stark warning to Iran — stating Tehran had 'better get smart soon' — as US officials continued to examine Iran's de-escalation proposal submitted the previous day through Pakistan, which offered to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for lifting the US naval blockade, while deferring nuclear discussions until after the conflict phase resolves. The Manila Times and CNN reported that peace efforts were stalling as the US weighed whether to accept Iran's Hormuz offer without securing nuclear commitments first. Senior US officials expressed concern that doing so would surrender crucial bargaining leverage: lifting economic and maritime pressure could allow Iran to consolidate its position without constraining its uranium enrichment program. Iran maintained that 'Washington could no longer dictate terms' and insisted nuclear discussions be sequenced only after the blockade is lifted. Both sides expressed deep mutual distrust in public statements, with analysts citing a growing risk of a 'frozen conflict' — an indefinite ceasefire without political resolution — as both parties preserve optionality while avoiding a return to full-scale hostilities. Trump's warning tracks the coercive diplomacy pattern of the entire ceasefire period: threatening escalation publicly while keeping back-channels nominally open through Pakistan. The warning comes with both Islamabad rounds having collapsed (Round 1, April 11–12; Round 2 aborted April 26), the enrichment gap unresolved (US demands 20 years, Iran offers 5), and the naval blockade continuing. As of April 29, the US has not publicly accepted or rejected Iran's Hormuz proposal. The indefinite ceasefire extended by Trump on April 21 remains technically in force. Iran's FM Araghchi is expected to press ahead with regional consultations as back-channel diplomatic architecture is preserved.